When to Plant Coriander in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The most frustrating herb in Australia. Coriander bolts to seed at the first hint of warmth, making it a cool-season-only crop in most zones. Both the leaves (cilantro) and seeds (coriander spice) are useful. Understanding its biology is the key to managing bolting. This is NOT a herb that grows like parsley. It is a rapid-lifecycle annual that wants to flower and die as fast as possible.
Planting Calendar for Cold / Highland
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | - | - | - | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D |
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
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Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 7.8°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✗ Outside optimal range
Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Canberra), not a live sensor.
How to Grow Coriander in Cold / Highland Australia
When to Plant
Sow April-June and September-November. Cool conditions are ideal.
- Soil
- Rich, well-drained soil with compost. Consistent moisture critical.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun in cool weather. Part shade essential in warm zones to delay bolting.
- Spacing
- 5cm apart, 20cm between rows
- Watering
- Keep consistently moist at all times. Any drought stress triggers bolting. Mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool.
Companion plants: Dill, Chervil, Parsley, Lettuce
Avoid planting near: Fennel
Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Coriander
Recommended Varieties
- Common coriander
- Slow Bolt
Key Challenges
- Cold soil slows germination
- Frost kills plants
Pro Tips
- Excellent coriander climate during growing season
- The cool air that makes other herbs struggle is exactly what coriander wants
- Protect from frost but otherwise let it do its thing
Harvesting Coriander
When ready: Harvest leaves once plants are 10-15cm tall. Harvest before any sign of central flower stem elongation.
How to harvest: Cut outer leaves at base, leaving central growing point. Or cut entire plant 3cm above soil for regrowth (one regrowth only). For seed: let plants bolt, flower, and set seed until brown.
Common Coriander Pests in Cold / Highland Zones
Organic prevention: Fast-growing coriander usually outpaces aphid damage. Healthy plants resist better.
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